The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of a patent medicine dealer, Nnaemeka Ugwu, at the Nsukka Area Command. Ugwu had gone to the station in an attempt to secure the release of his detained wife when the incident occurred.
In response to widespread claims that Ugwu was tortured to death by police officers, the command denied any wrongdoing. The police insisted that he was not mistreated in any way but collapsed on his own before being rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The controversy surrounding Ugwu’s death began after a viral video surfaced online, in which his relatives accused the police of harassing, detaining, and torturing him to death. The video sparked outrage, leading to calls for an independent investigation.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, dismissed the claims as false and misleading. “The command unequivocally states that Nnaemeka was never arrested, nor was he harassed, tortured, or killed in police custody, as alleged,” he stated.
Providing further details, Ndukwe explained that police officers, along with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, had been investigating a case of armed robbery and stolen motorcycles. Their operation led to the arrest of a suspect, Jerry Uche, who reportedly confessed and assisted in capturing three more suspects: Emenike Ezugwu, Omeje Chidera, and Omeje Obinna.
During the crackdown, officers recovered weapons, stolen motorcycles, and substances suspected to be illegal drugs. Based on further confessions, the investigation led to Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area, where individuals believed to be involved in the sale of stolen motorcycles were apprehended. Among those arrested was Ugwu’s wife, Ngozi Nnaemeka.
According to the police, Ugwu visited the Nsukka Area Command on February 7, 2025, accompanied by one Hon Onyemaechi, to seek his wife’s release. It was during this visit that he suddenly collapsed. Officers immediately rushed him to the hospital, but he was later declared dead by the attending doctor. His body was then moved to the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has expressed condolences to Ugwu’s family. He has also ordered a thorough investigation by the deputy commissioner in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to determine the exact cause of Ugwu’s collapse and death.
